How to block (defend against) the 5's

For the purposes of this article, Person A (short dark haired fellow) is the attacker and Person B (long blonde haired fellow) is the defender. It is also assumed that the attacker is right handed.

It is very important to remember that when blocking incoming shots that when blocking all shots above the waist the defenders sword tip must point up and when defending all shots below the waist (and the thrust) that the defenders sword tip be pointed downward.

It is also important to note that the parrying arm should never be locked, as the concussive shock of the parry is absorbed by having a bent elbow and loose wrist

Blocking the head shot - Person B raises his sword horizontally and above above the head to block Person A's shot.  It is very important to extend the hand well above the head when defending so that if the shot carries thru it doesn't land on the defenders skull, this is particularly important when defending the head shot against an Axe which will carry past the blade of the sword when blocked. (Authors note: Though it is hard to ensure you do so each time, I find it preferable to block this shot with the flat of the blade instead of the edge of the blade but this is just my opinion.) See pic. A.

pic. A

Blocking the right arm shot - Person B moves his sword to the right of his body (tip up and slightly out to the right of your body) to block the left arm. See pic. B.

pic. B

Blocking the left arm shot - Person B moves his sword across his body (tip up and slightly out to the left of your body) to block the left arm. See pic. C.

pic. C

Blocking the right leg shot -Person B moves his sword over (tip down and slightly out to the right of your leg) to block your right leg. See pic. D.

pic. D

Blocking the let leg shot -Person B moves his sword over (tip down and slightly out to the left of his leg) to block his left leg.

pic. E

(Now here is the hard part to explain when it comes to explaining this stuff via words instead of in-person.)

Blocking the thrust - Upon seeing the Person A initiate the thrust Person B  drops the tip of his weapon toward the ground so that it intercepts the incoming thrust.

pic. F

At the same time Person B's blade should also begin to sweep/clear (like in fencing, think little circles) the attackers blade down and off to the weapon side of his (Person B's) body. See pic. G.

pic. G